FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Aust Vet J / Tunnel grafting for wound repair in horses: a novel techniqu...
Australian veterinary journal2020; 98(10); 517-522; doi: 10.1111/avj.12998

Tunnel grafting for wound repair in horses: a novel technique in graft production and placement.

Abstract: There are several skin grafting methods described in the human and animal literature. Currently, there are five types of free grafts used in horses: pinch and punch grafts, split and full-thickness sheet or mesh grafts and tunnel grafts. Published methods of tunnel grafting describe the use of alligator forceps. The alligator forceps create a poor tunnel and are excessively traumatic to the granulation bed. This technique utilised a 13G Jamshidi needle that was placed across the granulation bed and created a uniform tunnel. The Jamshidi needle was atraumatic to the granulation bed increasing the opportunity for graft survival. A twin bladed scalpel allowed for the quick creation of uniform width grafts. Removal of the overlying tunnel 'roof' took place 5-14 days later to allow graft expansion. This case series included five horses with distal limb wounds and one with a wither injury. Four horses required general anaesthesia for graft placement and three required general anaesthesia for the removal of the tunnel roof. The acceptance of the grafts varied from 70% to 100%. Graft expansion to cover the granulation tissue took 2-5 months. This case series demonstrates that this technique of graft production and placement is an easy method for achieving successful skin grafting. Compared to other graft types, tunnel grafts are more readily accepted. Cosmetic and functional results achieved are better than those with pinch and punch grafts. Tunnel grafting does not require expensive equipment or advanced training, and in some cases can be performed under standing sedation.
© 2020 Australian Veterinary Association.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2020-08-12 PubMed ID: 32783186DOI: 10.1111/avj.12998Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Case Reports
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research conducts a series of case studies on the innovative technique of tunnel grafting in horses. It uses new tools like a Jamshidi needle and twin bladed scalpel to carry out the process while observing the acceptance rates of grafts and the time taken for graft expansion.

About the research

  • The researchers carried out a unique method of graft production and placement called tunnel grafting. They test this on six horses in total – five with limb wounds and one with a wither injury.
  • The tunnel grafting technique in this study veers from the traditional method described in literature. Instead of using alligator forceps, which they argue are excessively traumatic to the granulation bed and create a poor tunnel, they deployed a Jamshidi needle that’s 13-gauge in size to produce a regular tunnel. They claim this approach is less damaging to the granulation bed and augments the chances of graft survival.
  • To fabricate uniform width grafts swiftly, the researchers utilized a twin bladed scalpel. Post placement, they took off the tunnel ‘roof’ after a period of 5-14 days to make way for graft expansion.

Findings of the study

  • The study found that acceptance of the grafts fluctuated, ranging from 70% to 100% among the different horses.
  • The time it took for the graft expansion to cover the granulation tissue was recorded between 2 to 5 months.
  • Four out of six horses required general anesthesia during graft placement while three needed it during the removal of the tunnel roof.
  • They found the cosmetic and functional outcomes to be superior to older graft techniques like pinch and punch grafts.

The benefits of tunnel grafting

  • The study concludes that the tunnel grafting procedure is easier to administer and leads to successful skin grafting. According to the authors, these grafts tend to be more readily accepted compared to other types.
  • A significant advantage of tunnel grafting is that it doesn’t necessitate expensive equipment or advanced training. In certain instances, it can even be performed under standing sedation.

Cite This Article

APA
Kalamanova A, Anderson BH, Cust AR, Fulton IC. (2020). Tunnel grafting for wound repair in horses: a novel technique in graft production and placement. Aust Vet J, 98(10), 517-522. https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.12998

Publication

Australian veterinary journal
ISSN: 1751-0813
NlmUniqueID: 0370616
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 98
Issue: 10
Pages: 517-522

Researcher Affiliations

Kalamanova, A
  • Equine Department, Ballarat Veterinary Practice Pty Ltd, Miners Rest, Victoria, 3352, Australia.
Anderson, B H
  • Equine Department, Ballarat Veterinary Practice Pty Ltd, Miners Rest, Victoria, 3352, Australia.
Cust, A R
  • Equine Department, Ballarat Veterinary Practice Pty Ltd, Miners Rest, Victoria, 3352, Australia.
Fulton, I C
  • Equine Department, Ballarat Veterinary Practice Pty Ltd, Miners Rest, Victoria, 3352, Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Alligators and Crocodiles
  • Anesthesia, General / veterinary
  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Research Design
  • Skin Transplantation / veterinary
  • Wound Healing

References

This article includes 30 references
  1. Jacobs KA, Leach DH, Fretz PB. Comparative aspects of the healing of excisional wounds on the leg and body of horses.. Vet Surg 1984;13(2):83-90.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950x.1984.tb00765.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  2. Bristol DG. Skin grafts and skin flaps in the horse.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2005;21(1):125-144.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2004.11.007google scholar: lookup
  3. Walton GS, Neal PA. Observations on wound healing in the horse: the role of wound contraction.. Equine Vet J 1972;4(2):93-97.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1972.tb03886.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  4. Wilmink JM, Van Weeren PR, Stolk PWT. Differences in second-intention wound healing between horses and ponies: histological aspects.. Equine Vet J 1999;31(1):61-67.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb03792.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  5. Lees MJ, Fretz PB, Bailey JV. Principles of grafting.. Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet 1989;11(8):954-961.
  6. Hackett RP. How to skin-graft in the field.. In: Proceedings of the 57th Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), 18-22 November 2011, San Antonio, Texas, USA; 379-84.
  7. Schumacher J, Hanselka DV. Skin grafting of the horse.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 1989;5(3):591-614.
    doi: 10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30577-1google scholar: lookup
  8. Dahlgren LA, Booth LC, Reinertson EL. How to perform pinch/punch grafts for the treatment of granulating wounds in the horse.. Dep Large Anim Clin Sci Virginia 2006;53:116-1206.
  9. French DA, Fretz PB. Treatment of equine leg wounds using skin grafts: thirty-five cases, 1975-1988.. Can Vet J 1990;31(11):761-765.
  10. Wilmink JM, Van Den Boom R, Van Weeren PR. The modified meek technique as a novel method for skin grafting in horses: evaluation of acceptance, wound contraction and closure in chronic wounds.. Equine Vet J 2006;38(4):324-329.
    doi: 10.2746/042516406777749290google scholar: lookup
  11. MacLennan A. “Tunnel” skin-grafting: a new method of covering raw surfaces with epithelium.. Glasgow Med J 1912;78(2):86-90.
  12. Obel N. Tunnelplastik vid behandling av caro luxurians hos hast.. Nord Vet Med 1951;3:869.
  13. Bjorck G, Twisselman K. Tunnel skin grafting in the equine species.. Proc Am Assoc Equine Pract 1971;17:313.
  14. Lees MJ, Andrews GC, Bailey JV. Tunnel grafting of equine wounds.. Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet 1989;11(8):962-968.
  15. Stashak TS, Theoret CL. Equine wound management. Iowa: John Wiley & Sons, 2009.
  16. Holder TEC, Schumacher J, Donnell RL. Effects of hyperbaric oxygen on full-thickness meshed sheet skin grafts applied to fresh and granulating wounds in horses.. Am J Vet Res 2008;69:1.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.69.1.144google scholar: lookup
  17. Swaim SF. Skin grafts.. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 1990;20(1):147-175.
    doi: 10.1016/s0195-5616(90)50008-xgoogle scholar: lookup
  18. Wilson DG. Applications of skin grafting in large animals.. Probl Vet Med 1990;2(3):442-462.
  19. Caron JP. Skin grafting.. Equine surgery. 2nd edition. Philadelphia, PA, W.B. Saunders, 1999;152-166.
  20. Barber SM. Second intention wound healing in the horse: the effect of bandages and topical corticosteroids.. In: Proceedings of the Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, 1990;107-16.
  21. Wilson DA. Principles of early wound management.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2005;21(1):45-62.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2004.11.005google scholar: lookup
  22. Robson MC, Edstrom LE, Krizek TJ. The efficacy of systemic antibiotics in the treatment of granulating wounds.. J Surg Res 1974;16(4):299-306.
    doi: 10.1016/0022-4804(74)90046-8google scholar: lookup
  23. Australian Veterinary Prescribing Guidelines. Antimicrobial Stewardship, 2019.. Available at: https://vetantibiotics.fvas.unimelb.edu.au/about/antimicrobial-stewardship/. Accessed 8 June 2020.
  24. Berry DB II, Sullins KE. Effects of topical application of antimicrobials and bandaging on healing and granulation tissue formation in wounds of the distal aspect of the limbs in horses.. Am J Vet Res 2003;64:88-92.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2003.64.88google scholar: lookup
  25. Vacek JR, Honnas CM, Ford TS. Skin grafting techniques in horses.. Vet Med 1992;87(7):696-703.
  26. Funkquist B, Obel N. Fixation of skin grafts in the horse using stainless steel staples.. Equine Vet J 1979;11(2):117-121.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1979.tb01322.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  27. Blackford JT. Skin-grafting in horses (reprinted from 1991 American-College of Veterinary Surgeons Veterinary Symposium Proceedings).. Equine Pract 1993;15(9):25-30.
  28. Swaim SF, Lee AH, Newton JC. Evaluation of strip skin grafts in dogs.. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1987;23(2):155-162.
  29. Hendrickson D, Virgin J. Factors that affect equine wound repair.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2005;21(1):33-44.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2004.11.002google scholar: lookup
  30. Carson-Dunkerley SA, Hanson RR. Equine skin grafting: principles and field applications.. Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet 1997;19(7):872-882.

Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Williams ZJ, Pezzanite LM, Hendrickson DA. Review of skin grafting in equine wounds: indications and techniques. Equine Vet Educ 2024 Sep;36(9):484-493.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.13964pubmed: 39246829google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.